Rokt & UNSW offer AUD $250,000 boost to support tech students
Rokt has announced a philanthropic gift of AUD $250,000 to UNSW Sydney aimed at supporting students from low-socioeconomic backgrounds and disadvantaged schools who wish to study computer science and engineering.
The funds will establish the new endowed Rokt Build Forward Scholarship, designed to remove financial barriers and improve educational opportunities for underrepresented students seeking undergraduate degrees in these fields at UNSW.
This scholarship forms part of Build Forward by Rokt, an initiative intended to unlock potential by expanding access to education and nurturing the next generation of technology professionals. Rokt has outlined that the scheme will focus specifically on students from low-socioeconomic (low-SES) backgrounds and those attending socio-educationally disadvantaged schools.
Recent data indicate that young people from low socioeconomic status (SES) backgrounds remain significantly underrepresented in the engineering sector. The introduction of the Rokt Build Forward Scholarship represents a targeted effort to address these disparities. Through financial support, UNSW and Rokt aim to increase pathways for talented young individuals who could otherwise lack the resources to pursue tertiary education.
Matching pledge by UNSW
As part of its broader commitment to equity and inclusion, UNSW Sydney has announced that it will match Rokt's gift, thereby creating additional scholarship opportunities for young people from underrepresented backgrounds.
The university's ambition is outlined in its Gateway Equity Target, which aims to have 25% of domestic undergraduate students come from low-SES backgrounds and/or attend Gateway Schools by 2027.
"At Rokt, we believe that the world is a better place when everyone is able to reach their full potential. The Rokt Build Forward Scholarship supporting students from underrepresented communities is a meaningful way for us to achieve this. We are proud to partner with UNSW to help create a more inclusive tech industry," said Bruce Buchanan, CEO of Rokt, and an alumnus of UNSW's engineering and MBA programmes.
Professor Julien Epps, Dean of Engineering at UNSW, also emphasised the significant impact this partnership would have on students and the broader community.
"We are deeply grateful to Rokt for their partnership and commitment to supporting equitable access to education. The Rokt Build Forward Scholarship will have a lasting impact on students who may otherwise face barriers to tertiary study, ensuring they have the opportunity to study, innovate and thrive. It reflects our shared vision for a more inclusive and diverse learning community."
Addressing inequality in technology education
The announcement highlights ongoing issues surrounding access to university-level technology education in Australia, particularly for those from less privileged backgrounds. By providing targeted financial support, Rokt and UNSW aim to help level the playing field and enable more diverse cohorts to enter the tech sector.
The Rokt Build Forward Scholarship is part of broader efforts by the university and its private sector partners to address inequality, foster diversity, and help students develop into qualified professionals who are equipped to contribute to the workforce and society at large.
Rokt's investment will contribute to UNSW's objective of widening participation in engineering and computing disciplines and reflecting the diversity of the population within its Faculty of Engineering.
The first Rokt Build Forward Scholarships are set to benefit students who might face significant financial or socio-educational obstacles, with the matching contribution from UNSW ensuring a greater number of students will be able to take advantage of the opportunity.
Initiatives such as this align with both UNSW Sydney's and Rokt's stated commitments to advancing equity, expanding access to education, and delivering outcomes that support diversity within Australia's technology and engineering sectors.
